Mountain lion sightings, injured animals reported north of Houston

By Craig Hlavaty |
October 4, 2013

This mountain lion was among the animals seized by the Humane Society in Atchison, Kan.

Photo By ANA VENEGAS/wire

This mountain lion lives at the Orange County Zoo at Irvine Regional Park in Irvine, Calif.

Rivers Hobbs, 6, was attacked by a mountain lion at Big Bend National Park in Texas.

It appears that residents in Waller County near Hwy 290 could have a mountain lion problem on their hands, but a Texas game warden isn't so sure of exactly what it is that appears to be targeting pets in that area.

This week, there were reports of a mountain lion attack on a horse, adding to a handful of other big cat sightings in the area. Some locals are worried that their children or house pets could be next in line to be attacked, according to Fox 26.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's Lt. game warden Johnny Longoria has been with the department for 16 years, and he has his doubts.

"It's hard to prove or disprove what kind of animal we could be dealing with," says Longoria. "We need to see the body, a picture, or some sort of video of the animal."

The picture making the rounds on Facebook of a horse with slash marks on its side is brutal, but Longoria thinks it could be anything, even barbed wire.

Waller County residents have reported seeing something akin to a cougar in the area. Longoria didn't respond to these particular incidents, an office in College Station did.

"I think that if this was a cougar it would have done more damage," says Longoria. "I'm not saying it's not a cougar, I'm just not sure what it could be."

Mountain lions have been reported in all 254 counties in Texas, but not all have been confirmed. He hasn't seen a mountain lion in Waller County himself. Longoria also said it could be a more adventourous bobcat, which are more prevalent in the area.

If this is in fact a real, live mountain lion these people are dealing with, Longoria says that playing dead isn't an option when confronted by one of them.

"Fight back, don't play dead. Attempt to make yourself look bigger than you are. Wave your arms. If you run away the animal will see you as prey," says Longoria.